2026 Festival

Speaker Profile

Steve Bracks

Steve Bracks AC served as Victoria’s 44th Premier from 1999 to 2007, winning three consecutive elections and championing education, infrastructure and economic reform. Since leaving politics, he has held leadership and advisory roles across government, business and philanthropy, including Chancellor of Victoria University and Australia’s Special Representative to Timor-Leste. He remains a passionate advocate for multiculturalism, Aboriginal reconciliation and international collaboration.

The Party’s Over: Has Australia’s two-party system cracked?

Friday April 24
Sorrento Community Centre
10.30am / 60 mins

Steve Bracks, Annabel Crabb and Zoe Daniel with Julia Banks

In Conversation: Bob Carr

Saturday April 25
Halcyon Hall, The Continental
2.30pm / 60 mins

Bob Carr with Steve Bracks

Two friends and former State premiers discuss Bring Back Yesterday, Bob Carr’s moving new memoir on the death of his wife Helena.  

Free Event
Sunday April 26
Halcyon Hall, The Continental
8.00am / 45 mins

with Steve Bracks and Elizabeth Buchanan

Join former Victorian premier Steve Bracks and Australian Strategic Policy Institute academic Dr Elizabeth Buchanan as they discuss the overnight news with Tom Wright.

This session is supported by Pitcher Partners

This is a Free Event, bookings essential


International Land Grabs: When is enough, enough?

Sunday April 26
The Ballroom, The Continental
10.30am / 60 mins

Elizabeth Buchanan, Bob Carr and Toby Walsh with Steve Bracks